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Senegal plans to withdraw French troops from its territory — president

Diomaye Faye said that Senegal has not yet set a timeline for implementing this plan, but it "must strive toward this goal"

PARIS, November 29. /TASS/. Senegal intends to seek the withdrawal of French troops from its territory, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye said in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde.

"This is obvious," he replied when asked whether French forces would be withdrawn from the African nation. Senegal has not yet set a timeline for implementing this plan, but it "must strive toward this goal <...> without haste or pressure," Faye added.

The publication noted that 350 French troops are currently stationed in Senegal. "This does not align with our concept of sovereignty and independence," Faye stated. He emphasized that while Senegal maintains relations with the US, China, and Turkey, their military forces are not present in the country.

Senegal is developing a military cooperation doctrine that will prohibit the deployment of foreign troops on its territory, the president explained.

The removal of French bases from Senegal was one of Faye’s key campaign promises during the presidential elections held in March this year. Currently, two French military bases are located in the suburbs of Dakar, the Senegalese capital. French forces also operate out of the capital’s military airfield. In addition to its presence in Senegal, France maintains military bases in Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Chad.